
PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the P (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to apply the
parking brake before placing the gear selector in P (Park),
otherwise the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the selector out of
park. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels
toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the
curb on an uphill grade.The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the
parking brake, push the parking brake pedal down and
then remove your foot from the pedal. To release the
parking brake, push down on the parking brake pedal
and then release.
The brake light in the instrument cluster will turn on
when the parking brake is applied and the ignition
switch is on.
Parking Brake
STARTING AND OPERATING 203
5

The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light,9located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9also
flashes when TCS is active. If the9ESP/TCS Indicator
Light9begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
WARNING!
The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESP-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 3 available operating modes:
ESP On
This is the normal operating mode for the ESP. When-
ever the vehicle is started, the ESP system will be in
this mode. This mode should be used for most all
driving situations. The ESP should only be turned off
for specific reasons as noted in the following para-
graphs.
210 STARTING AND OPERATING

Partial Off
The ªPartial Offº mode is intended for times when a
more spirited driving experience is desired. It is also
intended for driving in deep snow, sand, or gravel.
This mode disables the TCS portion of the ESP and
raises the threshold for ESP activation, which allows
for more wheel spin than what ESP normally allows.
The ªESP OFFº button is located in the switch
panel above the radio. To enter the ªPartial
Offº mode, momentarily depress the ªESP
OFFº button and the9ESP/TCS Indicator
Light9will illuminate. To turn the ESP on again, momen-
tarily depress the9ESP OFF9button and the9ESP/TCS
Indicator Light9will turn off.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle's traction when driving
with snow chains, or when starting-off in deep snow,
sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the
ªPartial Offº mode by momentarily depressing the ªESP
OFFº button. Once the situation requiring ªPartial Offº
mode is overcome, turn the ESP on again by momentarily
depressing the ªESP OFFº button. This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
Full Off
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
only and should not be used on any public roadways.
In this mode, all TCS and ESP stability features are
turned off. To enter the ªFull Offº mode, depress and
hold the ªESP OFFº button for 5 seconds while the
vehicle is stopped with the engine running. After 5
seconds, a chime will sound, the9ESP/TCS Indicator
Light9will illuminate, and the9ESP OFF9message will
display in the vehicle odometer. Press and release the
trip odometer button located on the instrument cluster
to clear this message. The ªESP OFFº message may
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress the9ESP OFF Button.9
NOTE:
The9ESP OFF,9or ªESP System Deactivatedº
message will display and the audible chime will sound
when the gear selector is moved into the PARK position
from any position other than PARK and then moved out
of the PARK position. This will occur when the message
was previously cleared.
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
5

ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light and
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The malfunction indicator light for the ESP is
combined with the BAS indicator. The yellow
ªESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Lightº and
the yellow ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº in the
instrument cluster both come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ªONº position. They should go
out with the engine running.
The system will turn the ªESP/BAS Malfunction Indica-
tor Lightº on continuously while the engine running if it
detects a malfunction in either the ESP or the BAS or
both. If the light remains on after several ignition cycles,
and you have driven the vehicle several miles at speeds
greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), and the ESP is synchro-
nized (refer to Synchronizing ESP), see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed
and corrected.
NOTE:
²
9The9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9and the9ESP/BAS
Malfunction Indicator Light9will turn on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
²Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
²The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
STARTING AND OPERATING 213
5

monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the Receiver Module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle regularly
and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
²Receiver Module
²4 Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
²Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster and an audible
chime will sound when tire pressure is low in one
or more of the four active road tires. The audible chime
will sound once every ignition cycle for each condition
that it detects. Should this occur, you should stop as soon
as possible, check the inflation pressure of each tire on
your vehicle, and inflate each tire to the vehicle's recom-
mended cold placard pressure value. Once the systemreceives the updated tire pressures, the system will
automatically update and the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light will turn off. The vehicle may need to be
driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) in
order for the TPMS to receive this information. Low
pressure in the spare tire will not cause the Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light to illuminate or the chime to
sound.
NOTE:The compact spare tire (if so equipped) does not
have a tire pressure monitoring sensor. Therefore, the
TPMS will not monitor the pressure in the compact spare
tire. However, if you install the compact spare tire in
place of a road tire that has a pressure below the
low-pressure warning limit, the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light will remain ON and a chime will still sound
each ignition key cycle. Once you repair or replace the
original road tire, and reinstall it on the vehicle in place of
the compact spare, the TPMS will update automatically
and the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn
OFF, as long no tire pressure is below the low-pressure
warning limit in any of the four active road tires. The
STARTING AND OPERATING 233
5

vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes above
15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the TPMS to receive this
information.
Check TPMS Warning
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will flash on
and off for 60 seconds and an audible chime will sound
when a system fault is detected. The flash cycle will
repeat every ten minutes, without an audible chime, until
the fault condition no longer exists. If the ignition key is
cycled, this sequence will repeat, providing the system
fault still exists.
Premium System Ð If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the Receiver Module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle regularly
and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
²Receiver Module
²4 Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
²3 Trigger Modules (mounted in three of the four
wheel-wells)
²Various Tire Pressure Monitoring System Messages,
which display in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)
²Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster and an audible
chime will sound when tire pressure is low in one
or more of the four active road tires. The audible chime
will sound once every ignition cycle for each condition
that it detects. In addition, the Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC) will display one or more Low
Pressure messages (Left Front, Left Rear, Right Front,
Right Rear) for 3 seconds and a graphic showing the
pressure values of each tire with the low tire pressure
values flashing. Should this occur, you should stop as
soon as possible, and inflate the tires with low pressure
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
²You should not try to start your vehicle by push-
ing or towing.
²Do not connect the cable to the negative post of
the discharge battery. The resulting electrical
spark could cause the battery to explode.
²During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes. Then, start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
NOTE:Refer to9Synchronizing ESP9under9Electronic
Brake Control System9in Section 5 of this manual if the
ESP/BAS light (in the instrument cluster) remains on
continuously after starting the engine of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
256 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MopartGlass Cleaner or any commercial
household-type glass cleaner. Never use an abrasive typecleaner. Use caution when cleaning the inside rear win-
dow equipped with electric defrosters or the right rear
quarter window equipped with the radio antenna. Do
not use scrapers or other sharp instruments, which may
scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag or micro-fiber towel. A mild
soap solution may be used, but do not use high alcohol
content or abrasive cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean
with a clean damp rag.
2. Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye, or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
290 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE